iPhone 4S preorders sell out in Hong Kong after 10 minutes

After becoming available for preorder in Hong Kong last Friday, the iPhone 4S sold out almost immediately, once again demonstrating Apple's continued success in China.

Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said his checks with sources indicated iPhone 4S preorders sold out in their first 10 minutes of availability in Hong Kong on Friday. The iPhone 4S will become available in Hong Kong and 14 other countries this Friday.

"In our view, this is a very positive sign for iPhone 4S demand in Greater China has Hong Kong represents the first entry of the new smartphone in the rapidly growing region, and we expect the 4S to reach Mainland China in December," White said in a note to investors on Monday.

"We believe this rapid sell out will rest concerns surrounding the uptake of the iPhone 4S in the Greater China region that were driven by the limited language capability of Siri, which did not launch in Mandarin or Cantonese."

Apple's voice recognition technology is one of the major new features found in the iPhone 4S, though Siri currently remains labeled "beta" software. Currently Siri only understands English from the U.S., U.K. and Australia, as well as French and German, though Apple has promised that it will support additional languages in 2012, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Spanish.

A strong start for the iPhone 4S in China is particularly good news for Apple, as the nation of over a billion people has become an important part of the company's continued growth. In Apple's September quarter, Greater China accounted for $4.5 billion in revenue, which represented 16 percent of the company's total sales.

To put the numbers in perspective, Apple's revenue in China was up 270 percent year over year. And in the company's 2009 fiscal year, China represented just 2 percent of Apple's revenue.

Apple executives have already publicly said that they expect to sell more iPhones than ever in the current holiday quarter. The iPhone 4S already got off to a record breaking start, with 4 million units sold in its first weekend alone.

It's a very curious situation, completely unexpected with Tim Cook at the helm.

Those who've been buying Apple products for more than a decade will remember that throughout the '90s the company was plagued by supply issues. It became as common to see the word "backordered" in Apple-related news as it was to see the unfortunate use of the word "beleaguered."

But now that Apple has plenty of money to secure adequate supplies, and one of the world's most experienced supply chain masters as CEO, it seems odd to find the company unable to meet demand as starkly as they did before Steve came back.

Apple has adequate supplies to meet demand within a couple weeks. The backorders are not for months.

Nice try at a troll though. Ever ready to spin positive news in a negative light.

... But now that Apple has plenty of money to secure adequate supplies, and one of the world's most experienced supply chain masters as CEO, it seems odd to find the company unable to meet demand as starkly as they did before Steve came back. ...

Even 80 billion dollar doesn't help if you just don't have the resources. Resources are finite you know.

I read that the 10 iPhones is not the total of available phones. It as the Maximum number of iPhones each order per person can obtain. So you can see that these will go to the grey market and again be shipped or handed over to wealthy mainland China who are willing to pay much more for it. I am a bit disappointed that Apple will let customers order up to 10 units. C'mon so many people missed out in Hong Kong. I bet there were bound to be hired help for those frey market retail stores that sit in front of the computer to buy as many as possible before any real customers had a chance of getting one.

But those of us who've already authorized more Apple purchases in our careers than you will ever make in your lifetime recognize that this is a very real question, and merits a more considered response.

Sounds like your "career" is that of a buyer or purchasing agent -- one that requires training and expertise...

...unfortunately that does not qualify you to make valid evaluations of supply chain management, executive decision-making, resource allocation, manufacturing ramp-up, marketing, or technology in general...

...or any of the other areas of expertise -- in which you assume your ability exceeds that of known, proven, peformers.

I doubt you are qualified in any of these areas!

...just spewing of so much noxious hot air -- adding nothing to a reasoned discussion!

"Swift generally gets you to the right way much quicker." - auxio -

"The perfect [birth]day -- A little playtime, a good poop, and a long nap." - Tomato Greeting Cards -

I know that and you know that, but some here consider Apple "magical" and expect it to perform miracles every quarter. There are a few quarters coming up which will disappoint those with a short-term view, but those of us who've been buying Apple stock and products far longer will take a longer view.

I don't think so, unsatisfied demand this quarter will bleed into the next, and then they have other carriers and countries to add.

Now the trolls are berating Apple for being popular. They can't win in their eyes, but I guess if they were being objective they wouldn't be labeled as trolls, a title they seem to enjoy.

Not for being popular, but instead, for so grossly mis-estimating demand, or otherwise being so inadequately stocked that the vast majority of potential customers will experience frustration.

I think that having supplies adequate to meet demand is generally a Good Thing when rolling out a product, and having almost enough is almost as good. I think that having only 10 minutes' worth of stock is far from optimum.

We can disagree if you'd like, but I don't think I'm out too far on a limb here.

Even 80 billion dollar doesn't help if you just don't have the resources. Resources are finite you know.

J.

Too rapid expansion has been the death of many lesser companies. I don't think that Apple is guilty of that, given that so far, their rapid expansion has been handled very well. But it is something to watch carefully.

Does anybody know anything about this subject? Is it excessive debt which usually overwhelms companies when they expand too rapidly? Inability to scale their practices? Something else?

Apple has no debt. And the CEO was outstanding, with all of his plans and structures still firmly in place. In that regard, my guess is that they are very unlike most businesses that suffer from too-fast expansion.

Not for being popular, but instead, for so grossly mis-estimating demand, or otherwise being so inadequately stocked that the vast majority of potential customers will experience frustration.

I think that having supplies adequate to meet demand is generally a Good Thing when rolling out a product, and having almost enough is almost as good. I think that having only 10 minutes' worth of stock is far from optimum.

We can disagree if you'd like, but I don't think I'm out too far on a limb here.

1) How many dozens of millions should they then stockpile because you don't think it's fair that Apple's demand outstrips their reasonable ability to supply. Note: there supply chain has been better while rolling out to more counties this year over last.

2) This was pre-orders, if they sold 120k units last year for pre-orders why do you think 200k pre-orders is somehow phenomenally low? Haven't you been saying the iPhone 4S isn't really an upgrade and that Android has had Siri-like services for like forever?

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

1) How many dozens of millions should they then stockpile because you don't think it's fair that Apple's demand outstrips their reasonable ability to supply. Note: there supply chain has been better while rolling out to more counties this year over last.

IMO, Apple should have a supply somewhere around the demand. Easier said than done.

IMO, Apple should have a supply somewhere around the demand. Easier said than done.

You might disagree, or think its impossible, or whatever.

I do disagree, and think it's not impossible through foolishly impractical, and I have no comment on whatever.

if they made 40M units before they sold a single one so they saturate all markets at the same time they would still have an issue of housing 40M units for months on end and shipping them all to stores at the same time for a massively stupid instant sell off. This universe is finite yet you pretend Apple, yet only Apple, can wave a wand and do what no other company can. Fuck! They already shown to best every other CE company on earth yet you still their success isn't good enough.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Not for being popular, but instead, for so grossly mis-estimating demand, or otherwise being so inadequately stocked that the vast majority of potential customers will experience frustration.

I think that having supplies adequate to meet demand is generally a Good Thing when rolling out a product, and having almost enough is almost as good. I think that having only 10 minutes' worth of stock is far from optimum.

We can disagree if you'd like, but I don't think I'm out too far on a limb here.

Dont forget that the online Apple.com sold out items are actually the unlocked phones only. I assume that Apple would want people to sign up through the carriers, which opened for preorders 2 days later.

Dont forget that the online Apple.com sold out items are actually the unlocked phones only. I assume that Apple would want people to sign up through the carriers, which opened for preorders 2 days later.

All the carrier phones in HK are 100% unlocked.

My carrier first opened preorders today. I'm ordering a black 64Gig tomorrow, and I've been told delivery will be Sunday.

I'm not convinced that misallocation of resources, on this sort of scale, is typical of Apple.

Why did they offer a grossly inadequate supply in a new market? Was it merely poor planning? Or is there something else that explains it?

This is what explains it: Apple has once again failed miserably! Somehow!

Think about it: many people have suggested that it was only a matter of time before Apple sold out.

Well, it's official: APPLE HAS FINALLY SOLD OUT!

How do I know this? The headline, of course.

Just like Pete Townshend sold out. I think. And Apple may even suggest we buy our phone every time we use it.

Anyway, this is clearly bad news for Apple. In some mysterious way that will later make sense, especially to people whose work involves exposure to volatile chemicals, this is the worst thing that could have possibly happened to Apple. Ever, ever, ever.